TRINITY NEWINGTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

adopted 22 November 1976 and amended 24 April 2025

THE NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE:

TRINITY NEWINGTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

1 OBJECTS

1.1 To provide facilities for discussion, recreation and other activities as decided from time to time by members of the association.

1.2 To protect and promote, insofar as it is possible, the amenities, environmental, communal and individual rights of all residents and to encourage a community spirit.

1.3 In so far as the same is practicable and consistent with the Association's Constitution, the Association shall when liaising with Principal Stakeholders within the Estate:

(1) advocate on behalf of the community the interests of the community in respect of matters affecting residency and/or tenancy matters or matters related thereto;

(2) represent members’ interests in all residency and/or tenancy matters or matters related thereto;

(3) for the purposes of this provision:

1. The Association’s Principal Stakeholders shall include, amongst others, Trinity House, its management agent from time to time, the council and its representatives, the local police, other residents’ associations and community-based organisations.

2. The Estate shall consist of all residential properties within the area covered by the Association, this area to include all of the properties belonging to the Newington Trust, and such other streets or roads as the Association may determine from time to time shall fall within the Estate for the purposes of this provision.

3. Reference to “members” is a reference to Members and Associate Members as referred to below.

2 MEMBERSHIP

Shall be open to all residents irrespective of political party, nationality, religious opinion, race or colour, resident within the area covered by the Association, this area to include all the properties belonging to the Newington Trust and such other streets or roads as the Association may determine from time to time shall fall within the Estate for the purposes of this provision.

2A ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
[added 28 April 1994, amended 29 April 2003 and 10 April 2014]

Shall be open to residents of properties in the neighbourhood of the properties belonging to the Newington Trust and elsewhere at the discretion of the Committee. Eligibility for associate membership shall be decided by the TNRA committee, based in part on the availability of other suitable residents’ associations. Associate members shall be eligible to attend all the Association’s meetings and events, to receive TNRA publications and communications and to serve on the General Committee. They shall have voting rights, except on matters specifically concerning the relationship of full TNRA members with the landlords or their managing agents.

3 MANAGEMENT

[amended 29 April 2021]

The Association shall be managed by a General Committee to be elected at the Annual General Meeting. This shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and a maximum of 10 members.

All members of the General Committee shall retire each year but shall be eligible for re-election.

If during the period of office of the Committee a vacancy occurs, the Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy.

The Secretary or some other person appointed for this purpose shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Association, which shall be available for any member of the Association.

One-third attendance shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the general Committee.

If a member fails to attend three successive Committee meetings, s/he may be removed from the Committee by a resolution of a Committee meeting at which no fewer than two-thirds of the Committee are present.

4 SUBSCRIPTIONS

All members shall pay an annual subscription.

Any member more than three months in arrears shall cease to be a member and shall, therefore, forfeit all rights of membership.

The amount of subscriptions shall be determined by the Committee.

5 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

All future annual meetings shall be held in the month of April. [amended 14 November 1983]

At least 14 days’ notice to be given to members that a meeting is taking place.

The agenda of the annual meeting shall consist of the following:

1 Chairman’s opening remarks

2 Presentation of Annual Report

3 Presentation of Audited Accounts

4 The election of Officers and members of the General Committee

5 Any other reports

6 Notices of Motions

7 Any other business

Any addition to this agenda to be at the discretion of the General Committee.

6 SPECIAL MEETINGS

Shall be called at the request of a majority of the General Committee or not less than 20 members of the Association, who shall give their reasons in writing to the Secretary. Such meetings to be held within 21 days of the notice requesting the meeting.

7 FINANCE

All monies raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied in furthering the objects of the Association.

The Treasurer shall maintain an open a banking account in the name of the Association, all payments to be authorised by the Chair and/or the Vice Chair and/or the Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Association and report thereon to the General Committee as required by them. Accounts shall be audited once a year by an auditor who shall be appointed by the General Committee.

Officers and Committee members shall not be allowed to act as auditors.

8 ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Any alteration to this constitution shall require the approval of a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the Annual General Meeting at which it is discussed.

Any resolution for the alteration of the constitution must be received by the Secretary at least 21 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward.

9 DISSOLUTION

If the General Committee feel because of lack of support or in the interest of the majority of the residents the Association should be dissolved, a special meeting shall be called giving 21 days notice of a resolution to this end.

If such a decision is confirmed by a majority of those present at the meeting, all liabilities and debts shall be discharged, any monies remaining in the account of the Association to be donated to any charity as the Committee may determine.